State pension: You could be denied full sum based on your National Insurance record | Personal Finance | Finance

National Insurance has a direct link to the state pension, as it dictates the amount someone gets when they reach state pension age. There are specific criteria which must be met in order to qualify for the full state pension.

This will increase from April 2022, taking the amount to £185.15 per week.

How to get qualifying years for National Insurance

There are three ways people can build up their National Insurance record.

The most common way is by paying contributions through working.

The third and final way to improve a National Insurance record is through voluntary contributions.

Britons may be able to pay voluntary amounts if they wish to fill gaps in their National Insurance record and increase their state pension entitlement.

People can check their National Insurance record online through the Government website to see if they have a sufficient number of qualifying years and if there are any gaps to fill.

They can then explore whether they could improve their record through National Insurance credits or voluntary contributions.